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ONOE Abstract Compressed

The paper examines the proposal of One Nation, One Election (ONOE) in India, arguing that it threatens the country's federal structure by overshadowing regional issues and diminishing state autonomy. It highlights the importance of staggered elections for accountability, suggesting that synchronized elections could empower dominant parties and reduce voter responsiveness. Additionally, the implementation of ONOE poses significant constitutional and logistical challenges that could strain governance and undermine democratic values.

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Shailu K
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62 views1 page

ONOE Abstract Compressed

The paper examines the proposal of One Nation, One Election (ONOE) in India, arguing that it threatens the country's federal structure by overshadowing regional issues and diminishing state autonomy. It highlights the importance of staggered elections for accountability, suggesting that synchronized elections could empower dominant parties and reduce voter responsiveness. Additionally, the implementation of ONOE poses significant constitutional and logistical challenges that could strain governance and undermine democratic values.

Uploaded by

Shailu K
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Subtheme of the paper: The dynamics between the Central Government & State Governments

regarding the federal structure

Title of the paper: One Nation, One Election: Re-examining the Central–State Dynamics in
Indian Federalism

Name of the author: Mr. Shailendar K

E-mail address: shailu2013@gmail.com

Postal address: 74/81 Sundarraja Nagar, Subramaniapuram, Trichy-620020, Tamil Nadu

Contact no. 9159111938

Abstract:

One Nation, One Election (ONOE)—the proposal to synchronize India’s national and state-
level elections—is heralded by proponents as a measure to reduce electoral costs, streamline
governance, and minimize the disruptive effects of continuous campaigning. Nonetheless, a
closer examination suggests that ONOE poses significant threats to the country’s democratic
framework. First, India’s federal structure could be undermined by compressing regional
concerns into a unified, nationalized electoral narrative. Individual states, each with its distinct
sociopolitical identity and policy priorities, risk seeing their voices diminished during a single,
nationwide election. Local campaigns and issues might become secondary to high-profile
national debates, weakening state autonomy and overshadowing regional leadership.

Second, more frequent elections offer a crucial mechanism for accountability. Staggered
electoral cycles allow citizens to regularly evaluate the performance of officeholders, ensuring
a measure of ongoing responsiveness. By contrast, a synchronized five-year interval would
reduce opportunities to “keep politicians on a short leash,” potentially granting incumbents
leeway to enact unpopular policies without fear of immediate electoral repercussions. In effect,
this consolidation may embolden dominant parties or coalitions, especially if mid-term
dissolutions are discouraged, limiting the electorate’s ability to trigger corrective measures
between major election cycles.

Third, implementing ONOE raises complex constitutional and logistical challenges, as aligning
disparate assemblies’ tenures would necessitate extensive amendments, legal contortions, and
contingency plans for unforeseen dissolutions. The burden of managing a single, large-scale
election could strain administrative capacities, and any failure or misconduct in such an event
would affect governance at every level simultaneously.

Overall, while ONOE might offer some superficial efficiencies, the negative implications for
India’s democratic health are profound. By diluting federalism, weakening accountability, and
risking the concentration of political power, this reform—far from fortifying the democratic
edifice—threatens to erode the pluralistic, citizen-centric values that underpin the Indian
Constitution.

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